A normal bicycle is familiar. An electric bike is increasingly commonplace. But a bicycle with two saddles, two sets of pedals and two people working together to make it move still has the ability to make people stop and look.
The tandem bicycle – often affectionately known as a "bicycle built for two" – is part practical transport, part sporting machine and part wonderfully eccentric novelty. And although you don't see them on every street corner anymore, tandems have never completely disappeared.
1952: Ronald Reagan, Virginia Mayo She’s Working Her Way through College, Warner Bros.
In fact, they are still used by couples, families, touring cyclists, visually impaired cyclists and serious tandem racers around the world.
So how did the tandem come about, and why are these unusual bicycles still around today?
A Brief History of the Tandem Bicycle
The idea of putting two people on one bicycle is surprisingly old. Patents relating to tandem bicycles date back to the 1880s, while various two-person bicycle designs appeared during the late 19th century.
The bicycle became enormously fashionable during the Victorian era, and the tandem fitted perfectly into the period's fascination with cycling. A bicycle designed for two people offered couples a way to go cycling together without requiring them to ride separately.
The popularity of the tandem was also helped by the famous 1892 song "Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)", which firmly associated the idea of a tandem with romance and courtship.
By the early 20th century, tandems were being used for leisure, touring and even practical purposes. They also found military applications, including during the Second Anglo-Boer War.
Their popularity eventually declined after the Second World War, before experiencing something of a revival in the late 1960s and 1970s. In Britain, the Tandem Club was founded in 1971, while specialist manufacturers began developing increasingly sophisticated designs.
How Does a Tandem Actually Work?
The basic principle is wonderfully simple.
The rider at the front is generally known as the captain or pilot. They steer, brake and pedal. The person behind is the stoker, who pedals but normally doesn't steer.
On a conventional tandem, the two sets of cranks are mechanically connected, meaning both riders pedal together.
And this is where the tandem becomes slightly more complicated than it looks.
Two people have to coordinate their pedalling, starting and stopping. The captain has to remember that there is another person attached to the back of the bicycle, while the stoker has to trust the person in front.
Getting on and off can also require a little choreography.
In other words, riding a tandem isn't simply two people riding a bicycle. It is two people riding one machine.
Why Were Tandems So Popular?
There was an obvious romantic appeal.
At a time when bicycles were becoming an important form of recreation, a tandem allowed two people to enjoy a ride together while remaining physically connected. It was also a practical solution for couples where one person might not have wanted to ride a bicycle independently.
There was another advantage: two people could generate a surprising amount of power from one bicycle.
Modern tandem designers have taken that principle much further. Specialist manufacturers developed stronger frames, wheels, braking systems and components specifically designed to cope with the additional weight and forces generated by two riders. Santana, for example, has been developing specialist tandems since 1976 and pioneered a number of tandem-specific frame, tubing and braking innovations.
Who Rides Tandem Bicycles Today?
The image of a couple riding romantically through a park is probably the first thing most people associate with tandems – but today's tandem riders are much more diverse.
Couples
The traditional tandem couple is still very much a thing.
For some couples, riding a tandem is simply a fun way to spend time together. It also solves a problem if one person is a considerably stronger cyclist than the other. Rather than constantly trying to keep up with each other, both riders contribute to the same bicycle.
Of course, there is one potential downside: there is nowhere to hide if you have an argument.
Families
Tandems can also be used by parents and children, with different configurations allowing younger riders to participate in cycling.
There are even tandem and triplet designs intended for several riders, making them an unusual but memorable way for families to go cycling together.
Visually Impaired Cyclists
One of the most important modern uses of tandem bicycles is enabling visually impaired people to enjoy cycling.
A sighted pilot can steer and navigate while the visually impaired rider pedals from the rear. Tandem cycling is therefore not simply a novelty – for some people it provides a way of participating in cycling that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.
Serious Cyclists
There is also a surprisingly serious sporting side to tandem cycling.
Specialist tandem bikes can be extremely fast. Two cyclists working together can produce considerable power, while the aerodynamic position can make a tandem an impressive machine on the road.
Brands such as Santana and Co-Motion have developed high-performance tandems for touring, road riding and competitive cycling. Co-Motion's history, for example, dates back to the 1980s and includes a long-standing focus on specialist tandem design.
Touring Cyclists
For long-distance cycling, a tandem can be a fantastic way for two people to travel together.
Rather than having one cyclist disappear into the distance while the other struggles to keep up, both riders remain together. Specialist touring tandems can also carry luggage and are designed for long journeys.
The Best Tandem Bike Brands
Tandems are a relatively small part of the bicycle industry, so there aren't nearly as many manufacturers as there are for conventional bikes. But several specialist names have developed excellent reputations.
Santana
Santana is one of the best-known specialist tandem manufacturers, particularly in the United States. Founded in 1976, the company has spent decades developing tandem-specific technology and designs.
It is particularly interesting because Santana helped turn the tandem from a somewhat awkward novelty into a sophisticated high-performance bicycle.
Co-Motion
Oregon-based Co-Motion Cycles has been making tandems since the late 1980s. Its first tandem frame was completed in 1988, and the company continues to specialise in touring and performance tandems.
Co-Motion's approach is very much aimed at serious cyclists rather than people looking for a novelty ride.
Thorn
For British riders, Thorn is an interesting name to know. Based in Bridgwater, Somerset, Thorn specialises in touring bicycles and tandems, including its Raven Twin touring tandem. The company builds its bikes to individual customer requirements rather than simply offering a one-size-fits-all approach.
Pashley
Pashley is another particularly British tandem story. The company was founded in Birmingham in 1926 and its historical range included what it described as the "famous Pashley tandem."
Tandems made another appearance in the company's range during the 1970s with the Tourmaster. Pashley continues to hand-build bicycles in Stratford-upon-Avon and remains one of Britain's best-known traditional bicycle manufacturers.
Dawes
Dawes is another historic British bicycle name associated with touring and tandem cycling. The company became particularly well known for touring bicycles, and has produced tandem models alongside its wider range.
Click the image above to see more pictures of this Dawes Tandem.
One thing to remember when shopping for a tandem is that brand availability changes considerably over time. Tandems are a niche market, so second-hand models can sometimes offer more choice than new bikes.
Where Is the Best Place to Ride a Tandem?
This is where tandems really come into their own.
You don't necessarily want to ride one through a busy city centre with impatient traffic, complicated junctions and lots of pedestrians. A tandem is much more enjoyable somewhere relatively open, scenic and relaxed.
Central Park, New York
One of the world's classic tandem experiences is cycling around Central Park in New York.
There are dedicated bike-rental businesses around the park that offer tandems specifically for visitors. Current rental listings describe the tandem as a classic Central Park experience, with the park's long loop providing an obvious route for two people to ride together.
And there is something particularly appropriate about riding a bicycle built for two through one of the world's most famous urban parks.
Seafronts and Promenades
Flat, open seaside routes are almost perfect for a tandem.
Think of places such as Brighton, Bournemouth, Blackpool or along quieter coastal cycle paths. You can ride side-by-side with the scenery, rather than worrying about steep climbs or complicated traffic.
Cycle Paths
Traffic-free cycle paths are ideal for beginners because the captain can concentrate on steering while both riders get used to the rhythm of the bike.
Flat routes are particularly good for a first tandem experience.
Countryside
A tandem can also be brilliant for touring through the countryside. Two riders can share the work on hills and maintain a steady pace over longer distances.
The only downside is that a tandem can be surprisingly heavy, so a very hilly route can become a serious workout.
Why Are Tandems Still So Novel?
Part of the appeal is precisely that you don't see them very often.
When almost everyone has seen thousands of conventional bicycles, a tandem still looks slightly extraordinary.
It also has an unusual social quality. On a normal bike ride, two people can talk while cycling, but they remain physically separate. On a tandem, you are effectively sharing the same vehicle.
That makes it inherently funny, slightly ridiculous and surprisingly intimate.
It is also a great photograph. Put two people on a tandem, give them a scenic backdrop and you have an image that immediately tells a story.
The Secret to Riding One: Communication
If you've never ridden a tandem before, the most important accessory isn't a helmet, pannier or water bottle.
It's communication.
The captain and stoker need to agree on a few basic commands, particularly when starting, stopping and slowing down. The captain needs to be aware that the stoker can't necessarily see everything happening ahead.
The first few minutes can feel strange. Once you find the rhythm, however, tandem riding can become remarkably smooth.
And then something rather lovely happens: you stop thinking about who is doing what and simply start riding together.
Are Tandems Making a Comeback?
Perhaps not in the sense that we're about to see millions of them replacing ordinary bicycles.
But they don't really need to.
The modern cycling world is increasingly interested in experiences, slower travel, shared adventures and getting people outside. Tandems fit surprisingly well into that world.
They can be used for romantic day trips, family adventures, accessible cycling, touring holidays or simply doing something a little different on a sunny afternoon.
The bicycle built for two has survived for more than a century because it offers something that a normal bicycle can't.
You don't just go for a bike ride. You go for a bike ride together.
And perhaps that's why, despite being unusual, slightly impractical and occasionally rather difficult to manoeuvre, the tandem remains one of the most charming bicycles ever invented.
Tandem Cycling at a Glance
Best for: Couples, families, accessible cycling, touring and novelty rides
Best terrain: Flat cycle paths, parks, promenades and quiet country roads
Most important skill: Communication
Biggest advantage: Two people can share one bicycle and its workload
Biggest challenge: Starting, stopping and coordinating two riders
Classic destination: Central Park, New York
Specialist brands: Santana, Co-Motion and Thorn
British heritage: Pashley and Dawes
Best thing about them: They make almost any ordinary bike ride feel like an adventure
Check out the Goodordering downloadanble Bicycles colouring book featuring the tandem bicycle alongside other classic bikes illustrated for you to colour in.
